Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle, Book 4)

Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: High School

Eragon’s saga continues with his companion dragon, Saphira.

Concerns:

• Paganism and atheism. People pray to various gods of their culture.
• Where does truth/authority come from? Eragon subscribes to no gods and says he’s accountable to his dragon and his conscience. This is aligned with the world’s thinking: You have to be true to yourself and You must be your own guide about what is right and wrong. Essentially Eragon is rejecting any authority to determine morality. In my opinion, this rejection of an authoritative truth is the most dangerous aspect of the series.
• Violence. There are battles and wars, the usual with swordfighting
• Mental abuse. A queen is captured and tortured.
• Romance. Eragon’s obsession with his love interest continues with him noticing her beauty; eventually they exchange their true names which in the series means they have a bond over eachother.
• Magic. The magic goes to a whole new level with the true name of magic being shared that can then control all magic?
• Eastern mysticism, to do with being one with all beings, harnessing energy …

In general, this series offers a worldview that increasingly reveals itself to be against the bible. Yes, there is a fight between good and evil, but it is otherwise somewhat empty. Plus, I’m annoyed that the ending was so empty.

One positive is a very strong black female chracter who is an excellent and fierce leader.

See my reviews of other books in the series:

Eragon, (The Inheritance Cycle Book 1)	Paolini, Christopher	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/?p=3688
Eldest, (The Inheritance Cycle Book 2)	Paolini, Christopher	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2025/03/29/eldest-eragon-the-inheritance-cycle-book-2-by-christopher-paolini/
Brisingr, (The Inheritance Cycle Book 3)	Paolini, Christopher	https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2025/04/07/brisingr-the-inheritance-cycle-book-3-by-christopher-paolini/